What are the things that have changed about cruising since your first cruise?

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

I haven't been cruising as long as many of you as my first was only back in 2012 (on our honeymoon). 

 

This account I'm posting under is newer but I found CC while researching that honeymoon cruise using my previous moniker (@SheSaidYes2012) and I've been coming back here ever since (sometimes posting more often than others).

 

I was thinking on our most recent cruise about some of the things that have changed since our first cruise, some for the better and some not so much...but it got me thinking that it would be interesting to hear from some of you that have been cruising longer what you've seen change.

 

I know the common complaints are about pricing, lack of value, diminishing loyalty perks, etc...but there's a bunch more changes I'm sure!

 

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The things I can think of that I've seen change:

 

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What's Better:

 

• Embarkation/Debarkation: I remember waiting in for hours trying to get on and off the ship when we first started cruising. With the exception of our cruise out of Brooklyn (MSC Meraviglia), we haven't had a single cruise post-COVID where we had to wait in line getting on or off the ship for any considerable time. Debarkation in June on the Celebrity Equinox took 17 minutes from our room to getting our bags and on the Norwegian Encore this past Sunday that process only took an amazing 9 minutes! Getting on the ship was extremely fast and simple as well.
   
• Muster Drills: Fortunately the days of standing outside for an hour+ on a hot deck learning how to put on life jackets and how to board a life boat are behind us. In the event of an actual emergency, we'll see if the new way these are done cause any issues, but I'm sure it would have been chaos with the old way as well. 
   
• More Inclusive: These days, there's a cruise for everybody. Want a cheap, booze cruise for 3-4 days? Have at it! Want a more relaxing cruise on a classic ship? They may not be making new ones to fill this need, but there's still plenty of older ships to scratch this itch (hopefully there continues to be). Want a family-friendly cruise with slides, go-karts, and laser tag? No problem! 
   
• More Information: The cruise line apps, CC, YouTube, and FB groups have made it super easy to get answers to just about anything you could possibly ask in advance of your cruise. Unless you intentionally don't go seeking information, you're likely going to know a ton about your upcoming cruise before you ever step foot on the ship. 
   

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What's Worse:

 

• More Crowded: With the advent of the mega-ship have come bigger crowds. Not just on the ships, but in the ports as well. 
   
• More Expensive: I just checked the price for the same room on the same sailing on the Carnival Pride the week before Thanksgiving (same week as back in 2012) and the sailing we paid $1,600 for back then is nearly $3k today. In addition, the steakhouse reservations were $35/person and are now $49/person. 
   
• Less Mystery: I remember discovering the Chef's Table for our upcoming cruise on the Carnival Pride back in 2012 and it felt like I'd just uncovered DaVinci's Code...it was an exciting feeling to know I'd found and booked an experience most on the ship wouldn't even know existed. 
   

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I'm sure I could go on but I'm not here to hear my own voice...what changes have YOU noticed since you started cruising? 

 

Bonus if you share what your first cruise was and when!

 

[Essiesmom]

Home Lines Homeric 1972.

Cabin with sink, bathroom and showers down the hall.

Assigned early/late dining for lunch and dinner.  Breakfast open seating.  No buffet.  There was late pizza somewhere.

Everything was cash.  No cards, no beverage plans.

No balconies

Ten day cruise solo from NYC to San Juan, St. Thomas, Martinique, St. Maarten was $350. That would be $2630 inside in 2024 $.

EM

Edited July 31 by Essiesmom

[cruiseryyc]

The best things from when I started cruising:

 

Much smaller ships, maximum 2500 onboard including crew

Set dinner times

Real formal nights

Wrap around decks

Having nothing to do but sit and watch the ocean go by

 

Probably why I don't cruise anymore 🙂

[BklynBoy8]

Things have changed from my first time sailing.

 

Experienced

First Cabin was with Bunk Beds

Not so elaborate Buffets

Simple Show rooms

No Ball Rooms

 

Now

Excellent Balconies w better furniture

Outstanding Menus and Buffets

Steakhouse w White Glove Service

Priority Boarding from a VIP Lounge

Priority Disembarkation before Masses

Outstanding Showrooms w Tech Effects

Outstanding Tech to the Operation of the Sailing of the Ship

Outstanding Room Service

Much, Much More

[George C]

Started cruising in 1975 and have cruised at least once a year since 1977, all my cruises to 1987 was solo with single world which was great we had our own host and all singles.

Everybody dressed up every night suite and tie for men

Paid in cash my first two Rotterdam cruises were 600 for solo inside cabin, drinks were about a dollar .

No specialty restaurants food and service was better, but not perfect.

No ships had balconies 

From 1975 to 1981 sailed from New York City .

[wcook]

Chief Brody has been proven right. 

[Mike981]

February 2000 on the Celebrity Mercury and it was fantastic. My wife and I went with another couple and just did what ever we wanted. It was our honeymoon 10 years in the making and wanted to do it right because we knew it was going to be YEARS before we go on another trip. So we booked a balcony and did all kinds of excursions and fancy drinks, because who knew when we will ever go on another..we booked another cruise for the next year on Millennium.

 

I loved the size of the Mercury and was blown away by the decor. Staff was wonderful and had time to just hang out with you if they wanted. It seemed like there was no waiting for anything. The food was fantastic. Of course we are talking almost 25 years ago, I have a good memory, but it's short so there is a lot I have forgotten.

 

I can't say I miss the formal knights, I was fine with them but like I said, I don't miss them. Don't miss the muster station and I believe embarkation and debarkation were a lot slower.

[wcook]

In the “Dress Code Wars,” us slobs have won. 

[AKJonesy]

Big production shows

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

1 hour ago, wcook said:

Chief Brody has been proven right. 

I don't get the reference?

[Hlitner]

My  goodness, what hasn't changed!  My first cruise was in 1977 on NCLs Sunward II.  At the time it was a state of the art cruise ship and was a little over 14,000 tons with a capacity of about 800.  In those days there were two dinner seatings and a Lido buffet!  I think there was also some kind of small pool grill (my memory might be wrong on this item).  In those days, there was a midnight buffet every night with a special gala midnight buffet, once per week.  We would eat late seating, finish dinner about 9:45 and head to the midnight buffet around 11:30 (which is usually when it was open for photos).  Tables were assigned, so one spent their entire voyage with the same tablemates, waiter and assistant waiter.  I do not think 2-tops even existed and there were no alternative restaurants.

 

In those days. on the formal nights the waiters, many of whom were from Caribbean islands, would parade around with burning (real flames) baked Alaska on their heads!   

 

There were no drink packages.  All drinks were a la carte and prices were relatively cheap.  Most folks would be seen drinking pina coladas or other frozen drink concoctions.  The Caribbean ports were not crowded with 10s of thousands of cruisers since there were not a lot of ships (mostly NCL and Carnival) and even the large ships usually had fewer than 1500 souls.

 

Tipping was completely different.  On most lines, white envelopes (often labeled with staff positions such as "Waiter") were delivered to cabin around the end of the cruise.  Folks tipped in cash and would hand their envelopes to each of the crew members.  It was common to tip the cabin steward, assistant cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter, and sometimes the maitre'd.  Tips for the key folks were usually around $3.50 per person/day.

 

In those days there was a lot more personal interaction between ship officers and passengers.  In fact, we became quite friendly with several officers who would sometimes join us for dinner.  

 

In those early days, dress codes were followed by nearly everyone.  Almost all the cruises had a few "formal nights" and it was common for men to wear a tux (or dark suit) and women were commonly in long beaded gowns.  Even our 5 year old DD (who took her first cruise on Sitmar) had a long gown when we went on cruises.  Dressing up was special and were the formal nights.  When it came to Tuxedos. men could even arrange to rent them on the ship!

 

Hank

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

15 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

My  goodness, what hasn't changed!  My first cruise was in 1977 on NCLs Sunward II.  At the time it was a state of the art cruise ship and was a little over 14,000 tons with a capacity of about 800.  In those days there were two dinner seatings and a Lido buffet!  I think there was also some kind of small pool grill (my memory might be wrong on this item).  In those days, there was a midnight buffet every night with a special gala midnight buffet, once per week.  We would eat late seating, finish dinner about 9:45 and head to the midnight buffet around 11:30 (which is usually when it was open for photos).  Tables were assigned, so one spent their entire voyage with the same tablemates, waiter and assistant waiter.  I do not think 2-tops even existed and there were no alternative restaurants.

 

In those days. on the formal nights the waiters, many of whom were from Caribbean islands, would parade around with burning (real flames) baked Alaska on their heads!   

 

There were no drink packages.  All drinks were a la carte and prices were relatively cheap.  Most folks would be seen drinking pina coladas or other frozen drink concoctions.  The Caribbean ports were not crowded with 10s of thousands of cruisers since there were not a lot of ships (mostly NCL and Carnival) and even the large ships usually had fewer than 1500 souls.

 

Tipping was completely different.  On most lines, white envelopes (often labeled with staff positions such as "Waiter") were delivered to cabin around the end of the cruise.  Folks tipped in cash and would hand their envelopes to each of the crew members.  It was common to tip the cabin steward, assistant cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter, and sometimes the maitre'd.  Tips for the key folks were usually around $3.50 per person/day.

 

In those days there was a lot more personal interaction between ship officers and passengers.  In fact, we became quite friendly with several officers who would sometimes join us for dinner.  

 

In those early days, dress codes were followed by nearly everyone.  Almost all the cruises had a few "formal nights" and it was common for men to wear a tux (or dark suit) and women were commonly in long beaded gowns.  Even our 5 year old DD (who took her first cruise on Sitmar) had a long gown when we went on cruises.  Dressing up was special and were the formal nights.  When it came to Tuxedos. men could even arrange to rent them on the ship!

 

Hank

These are the stories of old I was hoping to hear about when I made this post.

 

Thanks for sharing!

[Hlitner]

Just now, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

These are the stories of old I was hoping to hear about when I made this post.

 

Thanks for sharing!

Ahhh,  now the recent changes (post COVID) are a completely different story.  We cruise on many different lines and cannot help but notice the cut-backs, and price increases, on some lines.  In the past 18 months we have cruised on Explora Journeys, HAL, Princess, Oceania, and Seabourn.  Of those lines, the cut-backs (and new nickel and diming) were most obvious on HAL and Princess.  Some have complained about "cut backs" on Seabourn, but that was not our experience.

 

Hank

[Heidi13]

First cruises were on SS Uganada (1976) and SS Oriana (1977/78). Uganda had about 350 pax in 1st Class and about 900 school kids in tween deck dorms. Oriana was a traditional liner with about 1,750 pax. The 1970's built cruise ships generally had 700 - 800 pax.

 

In addition to the ships being smaller, most pax cabins were within the hull, with the public spaces above the main deck. Newer ships with cabins above the main deck and balconies, started with P&O building the Royal Princess (1984). The steam liners were also built for speed and handling rough seas. They had considerably more installed power than today's ships, with Oriana having 80,000 HP, which was good for speeds > 30 kts. Hulls tapered to about 1/3 length and had stronger plating and frames.

 

Dining - breaky was open seating, with lunch/dinner fixed seating. Evening attire was dark suits or dinner jackets, with the ladies in gowns from about 18:00, every evening, except 1st and last nights. Meals were not plated in the galley, with the waiters/asst waiters providing exemplary "Silver Service", where food is served from the left and used plates removed on the right. Some dishes were finished table-side. Wine stewards served wine.

 

Victuals were of vastly superior quality than is common on today's mass-market lines. Portion sizes were also a fair bit bigger. Menus had considerably more courses and more selections. On Uganda, for lunch, one of the courses was curry, and we had 3 to select from. Genuine curry from the Indian cooks, with the herbs and spices hand ground daily.

 

Cabins were often smaller on the older ships, especially those in the old steerage class decks, which could have 2 sets of bunk beds and a sink. Toilets and showers were shared and down the alleyway. Some ships had innovative designs to provide some daylight in inside cabins. An excellent example is the "Court Cabins" on SS Oriana and SS Canberra. Pods of 4 to 6 cabins were staggered on a central alleyway, so each inside cabin had a small window.

 

Tendering - modern tenders with twin screws and bow thrusters didn't exist, as open single screw lifeboats were used for tendering. Not so easy to access or egress, or to dock alongside the pontoon.

 

Cocktail parties - multiple parties based on dinner schedules, where real (undiluted) drinks were readily available. Formal receiving lines at the entrance to the lounge had pax introduced by name to the Captain and Senior Officers. Once through the receiving line pax were escorted to a waiter by a junior officer, where drinks and canapes were served.

 

Drinks - all bars were cash, no cruise cards. Drinks, such as Mai Tais, Pina Coladas, etc were made from scratch, no mixes. Pax drinks were reasonably priced.

 

Dinner chimes, day's run lottery, slot machines in stairwells - mostly all gone.

[Poly1979]

Skeet Shooting

[Honolulu Blue]

14 hours ago, cruiseryyc said:

The best things from when I started cruising:

 

Much smaller ships, maximum 2500 onboard including crew

Set dinner times

Real formal nights

Wrap around decks

Having nothing to do but sit and watch the ocean go by

 

Probably why I don't cruise anymore 🙂

I'm sorry you're not cruising anymore - especially since you can have just about everything you listed on a modern mainstream cruise.

 

• HAL might have a ship or two that squeeze just under 2500 total onboard.  If you're willing to bump the limit to 3500, the number of ships goes way up... for now.
• Most mainstream cruise lines and ships have an option for set dinner times
• You can dress formally on any ship at any time... but I guess part of the appeal is watching others do the same.  In that case, I can't help, but will note that some mainstream cruise lines have tighter enforcement of their dress codes than others.
• Some surviving ships have wraparound decks
• You can watch the ocean go by on any ship these days, especially now that most ships are stocked with plenty of balconies.  A few ships even have virtual balconies, though I'm sure you're not interested in those.

 

I do like reading responses to threads like this, so please keep them coming!

[chengkp75]

12 hours ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I don't get the reference?

From Jaws:  "We're gonna need a bigger boat"

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

11 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

First cruises were on SS Uganada (1976) and SS Oriana (1977/78). Uganda had about 350 pax in 1st Class and about 900 school kids in tween deck dorms. Oriana was a traditional liner with about 1,750 pax. The 1970's built cruise ships generally had 700 - 800 pax.

 

In addition to the ships being smaller, most pax cabins were within the hull, with the public spaces above the main deck. Newer ships with cabins above the main deck and balconies, started with P&O building the Royal Princess (1984). The steam liners were also built for speed and handling rough seas. They had considerably more installed power than today's ships, with Oriana having 80,000 HP, which was good for speeds > 30 kts. Hulls tapered to about 1/3 length and had stronger plating and frames.

 

Dining - breaky was open seating, with lunch/dinner fixed seating. Evening attire was dark suits or dinner jackets, with the ladies in gowns from about 18:00, every evening, except 1st and last nights. Meals were not plated in the galley, with the waiters/asst waiters providing exemplary "Silver Service", where food is served from the left and used plates removed on the right. Some dishes were finished table-side. Wine stewards served wine.

 

Victuals were of vastly superior quality than is common on today's mass-market lines. Portion sizes were also a fair bit bigger. Menus had considerably more courses and more selections. On Uganda, for lunch, one of the courses was curry, and we had 3 to select from. Genuine curry from the Indian cooks, with the herbs and spices hand ground daily.

 

Cabins were often smaller on the older ships, especially those in the old steerage class decks, which could have 2 sets of bunk beds and a sink. Toilets and showers were shared and down the alleyway. Some ships had innovative designs to provide some daylight in inside cabins. An excellent example is the "Court Cabins" on SS Oriana and SS Canberra. Pods of 4 to 6 cabins were staggered on a central alleyway, so each inside cabin had a small window.

 

Tendering - modern tenders with twin screws and bow thrusters didn't exist, as open single screw lifeboats were used for tendering. Not so easy to access or egress, or to dock alongside the pontoon.

 

Cocktail parties - multiple parties based on dinner schedules, where real (undiluted) drinks were readily available. Formal receiving lines at the entrance to the lounge had pax introduced by name to the Captain and Senior Officers. Once through the receiving line pax were escorted to a waiter by a junior officer, where drinks and canapes were served.

 

Drinks - all bars were cash, no cruise cards. Drinks, such as Mai Tais, Pina Coladas, etc were made from scratch, no mixes. Pax drinks were reasonably priced.

 

Dinner chimes, day's run lottery, slot machines in stairwells - mostly all gone.

Super interesting and insightful... Thanks!

[TheOldBear]

I have noticed that since my initial QM2 sailing in 2008 that the indoor air quality has drastically improved.

[Host Kat]

Here is a Cruise Critic article last updated November 28, 2023:

 

5 Things You’ll Never See Again on a Cruise Ship

[Hlitner]

On 7/31/2024 at 12:57 PM, cruiseryyc said:

The best things from when I started cruising:

 

Much smaller ships, maximum 2500 onboard including crew

Set dinner times

Real formal nights

Wrap around decks

Having nothing to do but sit and watch the ocean go by

 

Probably why I don't cruise anymore 🙂

Keep in mind that much of what you liked does still exist.  But if you want a smaller ship, you need to book a smaller ship.  If you want formal nights, you need to book a line that still have formal nights (i.e. Seabourn, Silversea, Cunard, etc).  As to set dinner times, most folks that go out to restaurants do not expect the restaurant to only offer a set dining time.  The old fixed dining (which used to be the only options) were (IMHO) a royal pain and silly.  These days, open seating concepts allow folks to dine as they please, and if they truly want a set dining time they have simply to go to the restaurants at the same time every night :).  

 

We have an upcoming cruise on the Seabourn Encore.  Lets put that to your test.  The ship holds a maximum of 600 passengers...check!  The restaurants are open, every night, from 7-9 and one can dine when they please as long as they are within those hours.  If we find one particular waiter or table we like, it is simply a matter of mentioning that to the host/hostess and that is what we will get on most (if not all) nights.  If we want to dine with the same folks every night, that is also easily arranged (as long as those folks agree).   There are formal nights on Seabourn (and some other lines) and if men want to wear a tux it will be fine...or they might choose to wear a suit (or even just a blazer).  Even in the old days, a jacket and tie (for men) was all that was "required" on formal nights.  

 

Want to watch the Ocean go by?  No problem.  One can do it from their suite balcony, on deck, from the Observation Bar (which gives a nice bow view), etc.  In the real old days ships did not have cabin balconies, so that is actually an improvement for those that want to sit quietly and watch the sea..without even leaving their cabin/suite.

 

The bottom line is that much of what you miss is still out there, but you need to be willing to pay the price for those smaller ships.  Economies of scale make small ships, more expensive!  Now here is the shocker!  In 1975 (around the time we started cruising) $100 is the equivalent of $573 today!  If you look at a 1990, a $100 then is $240 today.  Compare that to cruise prices over the years, and cruising is actually less costly today than in the good ole days. 

 

Hank

 

 

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, Host Kat said:

Here is a Cruise Critic article last updated November 28, 2023:

 

5 Things You’ll Never See Again on a Cruise Ship

Interesting story :).  Those midnight extravaganza buffets (not all of them were based on chocolate) are something I still miss.  It was just so much fun to see the gorgeous displays, ice sculptures, etc. even though we seldom had more than a few small samples of the food.  On our recent Oceania Vista cruise, they did have a brunch extravaganza (think it was on Easter) which was quite nice although it did not compare to some of the fabulous midnight ones of the past.  Hard to recall the best of those midnight extravaganzas, but I think our best might have been on Sitmar, back in the 80s.

[Airbear232]

Hmmm, what’s changed?  Well, I’m fatter due to my cruising lifestyle.  Consequently, my clothes don’t fit so well.  What else, the kids are nearly all grown and I’m no longer their favourite person to hang out with.  Also, reached D+ on RCL and love my free drinks and BOGO on specialty restaurants.  This in turn makes me fatter and clothes are getting even tighter.  Also, kids are now even less likely to spend time with me.  And the cycle goes on.  🙂 

Edited August 2 by Airbear232

[MacMadame]

First cruise in 79/80. Ship held about 900. Everything was included except alcohol. No specialty dining, no buffet area, nothing but the MDR which was open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner and a Midnight Buffet that would have fed 3x the people on the ship. 

 

I don't remember any shows. There wasn't anything like bingo, trivia, karyoke, crafts, lectures. There was skeet shooting and I think you could drive golf balls off an aft deck but I may be misremembering that. There were various nightclubs with different kinds of music so something for everyone.

 

I don't know if there were excursions as it was a very last-minute booking for me but I did take a city tour in one of the ports that I signed up for right there in the port. The other two, I just walked around and had adventures on my own.

[KreinKrunker]

1 hour ago, Airbear232 said:

  This in turn makes me fatter and clothes are getting even tighter. 🙂 

It's not the food that makes the clothes tighter, the salt air shrinks them.  It scientifically proven.🤣